Muslims of Mauritius: Challenges Ahead

Mauritius is an island-state situated in the Indian Ocean with a population of over a million,  belonging to numerous ethnic/religious/linguistic groups, including the Hindus, Christians and Muslims. After centuries of colonial mercantile interests that caused and brought about waves of immigration from South Asia and elsewhere, the country today has the Hindus as the largest ethno-linguistic and religious group while the Muslims (at around 2,00,000) constitute a minority with around 17 per cent of the national population. With the attainment of independence from Britain in 1968, the country adopted a secular and democratic Constitutional framework and all social groups, thus, enjoy full freedom of worship and performance of religious rites and rituals. As the dominant community, the Hindus, however, continue to occupy important political and administrative positions and enjoys certain other privileges. On the contrary, the minority Muslim community remains to be on the social periphery with many grievances yet to be addressed.

In his Friday Sermon of June 07, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has called attention to the several problems and legitimate grievances of the Muslims of Mauritius, including on the twisted Hajj policy of the Mauritius Government. The spiritual pilgrimage to Makkah (in Saudi Arabia) for the performance of Hajj is one of the fundamental religious obligations of Muslims, wherever they are. In our times, thanks to improvement in transportation linkages and communication facilities, millions of Muslims engage in the preparation (of a life time) to make that august journey to Makkah. The Saudi Arabian Government has thus been constrained to delimit the number of believers assembling at the Holy City at this most important period of time due to logistical and accommodation/space- related concerns. Thus, countries have been allotted Hajj-quota (limiting the number of persons who will get visa to perform the Hajj in a specific year) and the opportunities to receive the visa are limited.

In the case of Mauritius, it is observed that influence-peddlers and other vested interests exercise undue influence to bear on who gets the recommendation for Hajj visa under the national quota. The politician-ministers tilt the scales in favour of their own cronies and other elite sections, leading to the unjust deprival of the opportunity to perform the Hajj to common Muslims who may be saving all through their lives for the purpose. Thus, year after the year, the same set of people-who are highly connected and politically influential- manage to get the visa and go for the Hajj, though it is not mandatory to perform Hajj more than once. On the contrary, most poor Muslims who may save for many years to go and perform the Hajj may not be able to get even the visa. The political leadership in the country essentially seeks to manipulate and exploit the divisions within the minority Muslim community and has virtually ignored or put on cold storage the important concerns of the Muslim community, including the need for an embassy in Saudi Arabia, which would facilitate the negotiations for an increase in the Hajj quota as well as in seeking trading and other labour market opportunities.     

Even at the risk of being labelled “communal”, one may have to warn that both secularism and democracy in Mauritius are under threat from racist vultures in its body politic, feels the Khalifatullah (atba). When the minority Muslim community’s religious rights- to go on pilgrimage to Makkah for Hajj- and their social, administrative and economic progress within the country are being thwarted surreptitiously, it points to the presence of communalism on the body politic, points out the Khalifatullah (atba). Further, the Sermon provides illuminating guidance to the Muslims to come out of their predicament by paying attention to their community identity and the responsibilities of solidarity being conveyed through the Divine Messages available in their midst.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:   

Mubahila Statement on Nasir Ahmad Sultani

In the Friday Sermon of May 31, 2013, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius invited Dr. Nasir Ahmad Sultani Sahib of Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya (Haqiqi) to a Mubahila duel to finally determine the truthfulness of their respective claims. In the aftermath of the Speech, the Sultani Sahib issued his response on June 1, 2013. In the response statement, the Sultani Sahib maintains and continues with his earlier stand of rejecting and vilifying the viewpoint of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and his claims. Yet, the Sultani Sahib has refused to come in the field of Mubahila now, by raising a revolving door-set of arguments.

Sultani Sahib is absolutely certain that the duration of the Mubahila, according to Islamic teachings, “should be fixed 1 (one) year”.  According to him, if the period of Mubahila is varied from one year- for instance: say, any period more than one year, including two years- by the parties to the Mubahila for any reasons whatsoever, it would not be permissible under Islamic law nor acceptable to Sultani Sahib. Further, Sultani Sahib considers such a variation of period “a wrong condition” of Mubahila. Although Sultani Sahib did send an official e-mail on 12 December 2011 whereby he “accepted the Challenge” of Mubahila made by Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba), he did not complete the minimum requirements for the world to know that he is indeed in a Mubahila (such as signing the Mubahila document and notifying the world by publishing it in his website). At least, now we know: the ‘reason’ for not joining in the Mubahila challenge at that point of time was this “wrong condition”!

Sultani Sahib now refuses to join the Mubahila Challenge with Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba). This is because of the presence of the 2-year Mubahila between Hadhrat Sahib (atba) and Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib of Germany.  According to Sultani Sahib, the Islamic period of the Mubahila-“one year”- is over and both have been proved to be “liars”! If the ‘result’ of the (non-Islamic) Mubahila between the two is crystal clear to the “Mujaddid of 15^th Century of Islam”, why should he wait for a longer period to prove his own truthfulness!??

In a special Booklet issued on June 2, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) has prepared and personally signed an Official Mubahila Document with “ONE YEAR” as the limitation period. Dr. Nasir Ahmad Sultani Sahib has now the option to “come forward and sign” or move away and “keep quiet” on the matter! 

Read the Official remarks and Mubahila Statement:

Mubahila Challenge to Nasir Ahmad Sultani

As the Mubahila between the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius and Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib of Germany (and the respective Jamaats) enter into its second year, believers are patiently awaiting the Great Divine Decree to reveal and unravel itself in the cause of truth and His Truthful Messenger. Yet, there are others (outside the two Jamaats) who are keen to know the outcome of the Mubahila and are turning impatient. The Ameer of “Jama'at e Ahmadiyyah (Haqiqi)” NASIR AHMAD SULTANI SAHIB, who is also a claimant of “Mujaddid 15th century of Islamic Calendar” recently declared that since all the parties are still alive even after a year of Mubahila, it only means/proves that they are all liars. Thus, Sultani Sahib declares himself the winner in a contest he was not even party to!

In the aftermath of these developments, the Messenger of Allah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has decided to respond. In his Friday Sermon of May 31, 2013 the Khalifatullah clarifies that it is permissible for parties to a Mubahila to agree upon the time period of Mubahila. Drawing upon the experiences/practices of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as), the Khalifatullah (atba) points to the instances in which there were Mubahilas with greater time periods. Finally, in a language that can penetrate and crack the hardest of rocks, the Lion of Allah challenges Sultani Sahib to show some spine and come to the court of Allah in the cause of truth by entering into a Mubahila.       

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Recently, I have received some correspondences which relate to Mubahila and especially concerning the Mubahila which I invited Abdul Ghaffar Janbah Sahib and his Jamaat (and specifically also one of his disciples Mansoor Ahmad Sahib) to accept. The thing is, instead of waiting for the specified two years limit mentioned in the Mubahila, some people like Mushtaq Malik Sahib and another claimant of divine vicegerency, Nasir Ahmad Sultani have made some comments to which I must respond.

Khalifatullah Visits Rodrigues Island

With the objective of spreading the message of Islam and to attend the meeting with his disciples and other truth seekers and well-wishers, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) visited the Rodrigues Islands (located in the heart of the Indian Ocean) last week, May 20-24, 2013. The visit assumes importance as the island has a special significance in the history of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius. Years before the Divine call and the descent of Divine revelations entrusting him with the larger mandate of revival of Islam Din in this era, Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) used to preach in the Island, calling people to the truth of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). In his Friday Sermon of May 24, 2013 made brief remarks in which he touched upon the contemporary context of his visit within the wider backdrop of the persecution/evil plots he has had to endure from the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya in the last decade as a consequence of his Divine mission.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“It is a pleasure for me today to address my Rodrigues brothers and sisters. Today is the salaam is extended from Rodrigues to all nearby islands – Mauritius, Reunion Island, Mayotte, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar – Kerala, Trinidad & Tobago, Japan and other countries in the world where we have our members, to all I extend my “Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu” (greeting peace, grace & blessings of Allah be upon you all).

Saints and the Trajectory of Divine Light

After the death and departure of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa), Islam could survive and flourish as a religious order and Muslims as a community through the centuries against all odds. On the temporal field, the Muslims achieved great progress and built magnificent empires and astounding forts and palaces and their victories and progress went on to attain an entire civilizational scale thanks to their massive impact wherever they went. As it happened, however, in the ebb and flow of time, their material fortunes declined and the single community disintegrated into splintered sects and partisan groups. On the contrary, regardless of the political fortunes of the Community, spiritual Islam continued to be vitalized and straddle on the lofty trajectory of Divine light almost every century or so with and by the appearance of noble saints, Revivers of faith and Vicegerents of Allah as the Guided Ones in the community. It is through the spiritual insights and practical example of these Divinely-blessed saints that Islam retains and continues to expand its appeal as a religious order among the masses in all the corners of the earth.

In his Friday Sermon of May 10, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius provides illuminating insights on this spiritual subject of profound depth and sublime complexity. In this speech, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) offers a profound commentary on the Qur’anic promise of mighty success for the sincere believers by describing the qualities and faculties of the Divinely-raised saints who are allowed to establish live connection with, and receive communications from, the Creator. While the Khilafat of a Divine Messenger may continue among his physical progeny so long as they remain in the straight path of Allah, the trajectory of Divine light and blessings may alter and embrace the spiritual progeny when Allah deems it so necessary. In our times, the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya community has been stripped off the benefit of Divine revelations in spite of claiming themselves to be the followers of the Promised Massih (as) and on the contrary, Allah has blessed a spiritual progeny of the Promised Massih (as) with the Divine Light and favour. Significantly, the Sermon also specifically contains an important Divine revelation received in the early days of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, clearly conveying the lofty spiritual status of the Khalifatullah (atba) in our times.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“... And whoso obeys Allah and His Messenger, shall surely attain a mighty success.” - (Quran 33: 72)

The Culture of Indecency and the Sexual Crimes

In the context of rising incidences of violence against women and other sex-related crimes, including rape and killings, the prevailing culture of indecency and the commodification of women’s body are at the center of the debate. Indeed, the connections are hard to miss except for those who are happy to fool themselves. In the name of western values and woman’s freedoms, technology and innovation, fashion and aesthetics, the weeds of immorality and indecency have been allowed to grow and thrive unchecked in media and the public sphere. So much so that the new culture of indecency is striking at the very roots of the societal health. The indecent representation of women in popular culture and social media, in television and over internet, the easy access to pornographic materials- all these are leading to the incitement to evil and more evil.

In his Friday Sermon of May 03, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius drew attention to the rising instances of rape and other violence against women in Mauritius and elsewhere. Instead of protecting the honour and dignity of women, the social culture of our times, exploit and dishonour them and degrade their status. The dehumanization of this culture of indecency is so complete that animal passions have blinded the perpetrators to the horrific and brutal nature of their crimes. Indecency has become so pervasive and percolated down to the very edifice of family that, as the Khalifatullah (atba) notes in the Friday Sermon, many of the old women victims have their perpetrators in their own families and close relations. While the recent instances of rape and other sexual crimes in Mauritius only confirm the predictions and warnings clearly made by the Khalifatullah (atba) in his end- of- the- year- 2012 speech, one can only hope and pray that better sense will prevail and that the people will move away from the brink of disaster.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Why Obey the Divine Messenger?

Our age, in many different ways, bear witness to the great religious and spiritual loss of man. It seems as though people are under an all-pervading, evil spell which cause them trample to dust the spiritual norms of ethical life.   Restoring the sublime values of man’s eternal life requires the coming of a Divinely-raised soul: to teach what the people have allowed to be forgotten- prudence and the straight path. For, it is the enduring practice of our Ever Merciful Lord that He raises His Messenger when things go awry.  In the evocative words of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba), “the need for a prophet of Allah, of a messenger of Allah is when man ceases to remain in the frame of spirituality and has lost all bearings on his own religious integrity and spirituality”. In his Friday Sermon of 03 May 2013, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a discourse on the paramount importance of recognizing and accepting a Divine Messenger whenever he arrives in the world. 

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but those who turn away, We have not sent you over them as a guardian. (4: 81)

Labour Rights and Islamic Economics

May 1^st is celebrated the world over as International Labour Day. In his Friday Sermon of May 1, 2009 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius   reflected on the significance of recognizing and upholding the rights of employees and workers. The sermon makes a searing critique of the ways in which fundamental labour rights and freedoms have been virtually undermined in most countries of the world. Illustrating the case of Mauritius, the Khalifatullah (atba) points out how the political class pay lip service to the working class and indulge in tokenism to avoid addressing the real, substantive issues of their welfare and dignity.

Reflecting on the situation in the Muslim world, the Khalifatullah (atba) takes note of the strong undercurrents of dissatisfaction and discontentment among the Muslim masses against the elites of their societies. Almost presciently, the Khalifatullah (atba) anticipated the "Arab Spring" events of 2010-11 when he noted the revolutionary upsurge among the Muslim youth leading to the overthrow of governments. He noted that the deep divisions among the Muslims would increase the distance between Islamic precepts and the practice of Muslims. In recent decades, the planting of the western economic ideas and philosophies- ranging from socialism to capitalism, individualism to authoritarianism- on the Islamic soil have only created more puzzles and riddles. In these tumultuous times, the Islamic teachings are being trampled to dust by the leaders and the priests. Consequentially, the contemporary Muslim youth is vulnerable to misguidance and susceptible to violence while confusing oneself with the belief that one is doing service to the religion. The guiding presence of a Divinely- raised soul- a Khalifatullah to lead the Muslim Ummah is, thus, a historic spiritual necessity.

In the Friday Sermon, the Khalifatullah (atba) goes on to indicate and describe the outlines of Islamic norms applicable to economic and social systems. Moderation, restraint, responsibility, trust and fellow feeling are among the principles of conduct pertaining to social relations and economic activities in Islam, points out the Khalifatullah (atba). The task is to translate these ethical and spiritual norms of Islam into enforceable measures and legal rules. There could, however, be debates about specific policies and particular measures needed to maintain social equilibrium between individual freedoms and collective responsibilities. Be that as it may, Islamic norms and values can cater to and adapt in, the dynamic environment of changing societies, points out the Khalifatullah (atba).

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“And We desired to show favour unto those who were oppressed in the Earth, and to make them examples and make them the Inheritors, and to establish them on Earth…” (28: 6-7)

Divine Messengers: Trials and Rewards

Islam presents a Most Compassionate and Ever Merciful Lord Almighty. The enduring practice of the raising of Divine Messengers among human communities testifies to the all-encompassing Mercy of Allah. Yet, when a Messenger presents himself before the community, they reject him. In the times of a Messenger, most people would revel in inequities under a veil of ignorance. The pride of riches, vanity of material favours, hubris of mundane power and social influence, arrogance of family inheritance- all seem to keep them away from God and His Messenger. Unfortunately for man, ingratitude and ungratefulness seem to be deeply embedded and ingrained as part of his DNA!

In his Friday Sermon of 26 April 2013, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a profound discourse on the Divine Law of raising of Messengers. Drawing upon the sacred traditions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa), the Khalifatullah (atba) points out that for Allah and His Messengers, it does not really matter how many will follow them, for the Messenger’s duty is to convey the Divine revelations and Message. History bears testimony that some prophets, rejected by their own people, found acceptance after their death and departure from this world. Some others may have had few disciples only. Yet, the situation did not and will not cast any shadow on their truthfulness or the veracity of their claims.  

The denial and rejection of Divine Messengers in the past notwithstanding, Allah the Almighty will continue with His enduring practice: of raising Messenger(s) who will call to Unity of God and the eternal well-being of Man through God-consciousness. Islam offers the glad tiding of heavenly bliss for the early believers in Divine Messengers, whose faith and practice will testify to their gratitude to Allah who raised the Divine Messenger, sincerity of heart and good deeds. Alhamdulillah, these blessings are available for believers in this age as well. Likewise, divine punishments await a generation that rejects the Divine revelations and Message. The contemporary situation of horrifying disasters and havocs visiting almost all the world should be fodder for serous reflection for all. For, these events are taking place at a time when the Messenger of Allah has been and is warning us against the evils of our times.  

  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

And there came to them a Messenger from among themselves but they falsely rejected him; so the wrath seized them even in the midst of their iniquities. (16: 114)

Why God Allow Suffering?

The human condition seems to be riddled with the mystery of unconscionable suffering. For, disasters are striking the world and the people are being caught up in the maelstrom everywhere - in the land, on the air or even at the sea! Almost on a daily basis, innumerable events are taking place- earthquakes, devastating floods, hurricanes, horrifying forest fires, building collapses, accidents of colossal magnitude, terror bombings, deliberate (racial, ethnic or genocidal) killings on a horrendous scale, fresh outbreak of long-forgotten/contained epidemics, etc. How does one look at and begin to explain the occurrence of these incidents that inflict much pain and loss on the humanity of our times? Are they mere natural disasters or do they belong to the grave category of divine punishments when occurred after clear warnings and exhortations from the Divine Messenger of the times? In his Friday Sermon of 19 April 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius discussed profoundly and provided illuminating insights on the subtle subject of ‘natural’ disasters in the times of a Divine Messenger.   

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

وَ لَوۡ اَنَّ  اَہۡلَ الۡقُرٰۤی اٰمَنُوۡا  وَ اتَّقَوۡا لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ بَرَکٰتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَ لٰکِنۡ  کَذَّبُوۡا فَاَخَذۡنٰہُمۡ بِمَا  
کَانُوۡا  یَکۡسِبُوۡنَ ۝

“And if people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, then certainly, We would have opened for them the blessings of the heaven and the earth, but they disbelieved. So We seized them for what they used to earn.” (Al-Araf 7: 97)

Divine Prophecies for Our Times

Allah raises His Messenger to guide people to their Lord and to warn them against evil. The Divine Messenger is, then, given special knowledge about matters of the Unseen and he makes his prophecies accordingly. Some of the prophecies so made, shall find their fulfilment in the very lifetime of the Messenger. Some prophecies may, however, remain unfulfilled in his lifetime. From the grand scheme of Divine Plan, the fulfilment of prophecies or their deferment to another time and space, make little difference. After all, everything depends upon Divine Will and Decree of Allah. And the Messengers have only the duty to convey the message. This is the enduring Divine practice emerging from spiritual history.

Several verses of the Holy Qur’an indicate these different possibilities in the aftermath of Divine prophecies. With full confidence in the ways of the Lord and with absolute detachment, the Holy Qur’an declares the principles: 

“…And if he be a liar, on him will be the sin of his life; but if he is truthful, then some of that which he threatens you with will surely befall you…” (40:29).

“…And if We show you in your lifetime the fulfilment of some of the things with which We have threatened them, you will know it; or if We cause you to die before that, then to Us is their return, and you will see the fulfilment in the next world; and Allah is Witness to all that they do”.  (10:47). 

“Allah effaces what He wills, and establishes what He wills, and with Him is the source of all decrees. And whether We make you see the fulfilment of some of the things with which We threaten them or whether We make you die, it makes little difference, for on you lies the delivery of the Message, and on Us the reckoning”. (13: 40-41)

When a Divine Messenger arrives and delivers his spiritual message, it is for the people to consider and ponder over its import. It is for them to take positive and proactive-action to benefit from it. It is also for them to move away from proceeding in a direction being forewarned against in the message. Yet, history and the Holy Qur’an testify that most people are/will be heedless in the times of a Messenger, chained as they are/will be, in their family beliefs and religious traditions. They are familiar with and ‘comfortable’ at the old ritual practices in which they found their fathers indulging in. Indeed, they are glued to these rituals so completely that their beliefs are like ‘chains around their necks’ ‘reaching unto the chins’. It is the baggage of inherited notions, ideas and beliefs that comes us a barrier to the appreciation of pure belief/spiritual philosophy being articulated by the Divine Messenger. In short, their truth-perception ability itself comes under a veil.   

 

Consider our own times. Most Ahmadis are under wonder-struck that a Divine Messenger has been raised among them in the person of Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) Mauritius. They are glued to their inherited notions and traditional practices so much so that they deify their elected Khalifa. They exalt him in defiance of Allah’s decree which has caused the coming of a Messenger in our times.  Regardless their wishes, Allah in His Infinite Wisdom, has set in motion a chain of events, including the fulfilment of Divine Prophecies vouchsafed to the new Messenger of our times. Alhamdulillah, like in the times of previous Messengers, there are many instances of fulfilment of Divine Prophecies in our times, as we have noted in recent weeks in the Sahih Al Islam Blog.

TEN YEARS of the Divine Manifestation

From the long and great history of the arrival of Divine Messengers in the world, believers have numerous lessons and insights to keep in mind. Every Messenger has to go through countless trials- his own people will turn back on him and boycott him. His own people, who may have received countless signs and blessings, may desert him in the hour of need. Countless years may pass by, before the world begins to take notice of the Divine Message in full measure, just as it happened in the time of Jesus (as). It may also happen that those who desert the Messenger may later realise their mistakes. They might return to the path of rectitude eventually, as did the brethren of Yusuf (as) in another time and space.        

The need for the appearance of a Divinely-raised Messenger in this era among the Ahmadi Muslims has been fulfilled with the raising of the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. Thus, 19 April 2013 (08 Jamad’ul Aakhir 1434 Hijri) marks an important milestone in the sacred history of modern Islam. For, it was on this day in 2003 that the Jamaat of the Divine Manifestation took their first Bai’at in the hands of the Khalifatullah (atba). The first Bai’at was held in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mumineen Sadr Sahiba Fazli Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes.

The fact that the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius has completed 10 years in relative obscurity will only surprise those who have no knowledge or understanding about the working of the spiritual realm. The duty of the Divine Messenger is only and merely to convey the Message; Allah the Most High is the Reckoner. There are indeed many spiritual lessons and lofty insights to be derived by observing and understanding the Divine favour on the Khalifatullah and how he goes about with his deep and unwavering commitment to advance the cause of Allah and His Message in the last ten years.  

It is instructive for Ahmadis to understand that the emergence of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius coincided with the decline in physical health, spiritual faculties and eventual death of the Fourth Khalifa of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib. In his last years, the ageing Khalifa was already in a zone of his own, where he was in constant need of sound advice for prudent governance of Jamaat affairs. Yet, as it happened, he was badly advised regarding the nature and character of the Divine Manifestation then emerging in the horizon of Mauritius. Unscrupulous and scheming people, who worked behind the corridors of influence, suggested vanity of office and pride of legacy. Instead of showing humility and open heart to understand the lofty claims and spiritual verities on offer, the Khalifa chose the other road. May Allah forgive him for his blurred vision in his last days, Ameen.

Fraud and Corruption in Mauritius

The predictions and warnings issued by the Khalifatullah (atba) in recent months delivered a Divine message to the world, which may be summarized as follows: The synthetic happiness of material pleasures shall have a blinding impact on people. The greed for accumulation of property and resources will lead to the pursuit of unjust enrichment. Bribery and corruption, fraud and embezzlement- all would appear mere ‘ways’ to reach where one wants to go. Ethics and fairness, prudence and caution – all the  ‘values’ shall reach the vanishing point from the mind-space of man, with consequences for his mental peace and physical happiness,  only to find oneself  among the lost at the end of the day! By the Grace of  Allah the Most High, His Chosen Messenger Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius could comprehend  the national events and understand the shady dealings waiting to unfold among his own people, especially on the great frauds and astounding corruption in society.

Recent weeks have witnessed the unfolding of a spate of corruption cases in Mauritius.  In the tangled web of fraud and deception, duplicity and embezzlement, are the ‘big’ people of society- politicians, corporate honchos and other influence-peddlers such as media-pundits. They have dirtied their hands with ‘shady’ deals and ‘black’ money, or embezzled public funds from the exchequer or defrauded the people by indulging in bribery or corruption. An account of the financial corruption scenario in Mauritius and the fulfilment of the predictions in this regard, emerge from the Friday Sermon of April 12, 2013 delivered by the Khalifatullah (atba).

A Messenger in Service of Humanity

Divine Messengers are human beings, with the simple but profound and quiet but substantial difference that they are recipients of Divine revelations as against the ordinary folks like us. They work among the people day in and day out, calling them to an ethical and spiritual life that draws its sustenance from an abiding faith in the Unicity of Allah the Almighty. They bear witness to their times and their people by inviting to prudent conduct. They deliver glad tidings to those who follow guidance. And they caution the world against the egregious violations of ethical norms. When their warnings are fulfilled and disaster strikes the land, they are pained at the suffering humanity, even as they recognize that the nature and the times are witnessing to their truthful prophecies and warnings. Such is the image of the Divine Messengers of the past emerging from their lived history as recorded by the Holy Qur'an. 

The Divine Messenger of our times Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has predicted and warned against great calamities waiting to unfold in Mauritius and elsewhere, in recent months. The DELUGE in Mauritius, the tragedy and loss of which shook the nation to its core last week and led to collective mourning, in its own way, testified to the majesty and might of the Lord  who descended the Message on His Messenger. In the aftermath of the Great calamity of stunning proportions- "NABAA AL AZIM", to use a Qur'anic metaphor [78: 3]- in Mauritius, Hadhrat AZIM Sahib (atba) himself led the relief and social work undertaken by the members of Jamaat Ul Sahib Al Islam. 

The DELUGE in Mauritius and the Ark of Noah

Rejection of the Divine Message entails evil consequences for a people. When the Divine advices and instructions are being trampled upon and the Messenger is being ignored, it questions the majesty and wisdom of God Who causes the Message to be revealed to the Messenger in the first place. Such mindless and reckless rejection triggers a process of events that inexorably manifests Divine anger and wrath which affects individual destiny and alters national fortunes. All of spiritual philosophy and secular history bear witness to this. For instance, the Deluge in the times of Hadhrat Noah (as) continue to remain deeply imprinted in the spiritual psyche of Jews, Christians and Muslims. And the Holy Qur’an repeatedly confirms: “We never punish until We raise a Messenger”.   

In his Friday Sermon of April 05, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius reflected upon the recent Deluge in Mauritius, which he himself predicted in 2012 December. Drawing upon Qur’anic principles, Hadhrat Sahib throws searching spiritual light on the concept and special features of Divine punishment as against incidents of natural disasters that take place in the world. Hadhrat Sahib points out that in the case of Divine punishment; it is foretold before its actual occurrence by a Messenger of Allah. We hope and pray that this incident of extraordinary nature that has destroyed property, resources and precious human lives in Mauritius will lead to much soul-searching by men of intelligence and purity of heart, everywhere.  

                                                                                                                         

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Mauritius has since last week (Saturday 30 March 2013) lived till date its worst days in the form of a unique kind of deluge which came and upturned the lives of many inhabitants, especially in Port-Louis, the Capital of Mauritius. Non-stop rainfall which the climate experts define as “deluge” as the rain water kept rising second by second, not diminishing in any case.

Experiences of Divine Revelation: Then & Now

“And it is not for a man that Allah should speak to him except

by revelation or from behind a veil or by sending a Messenger

to reveal by His command what He pleases. Surely, He is High, Wise.”

                                                                             -  [Holy Qur’an, 42:52]

Allah the Almighty raises His Elects in every era. The sublime purpose is to guide and lead the people in the Straight Path of Divine Favour.  To teach them wisdom and judgement, Allah (swt), thus, reveals His Messages to His chosen servants and the miraculous power of the Lord Almighty is experienced by the people in countless ways.  The great blessing of Divine revelations and guidance with which the Messengers are invariably blessed with, point to their Divine nearness, help and succour. The shadow of Divine Mercy and Grace protects the Messengers from harm in the complex contingencies of their everyday lives. Truth seekers know that the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian had left a graphic portrait of aspects of Divine revelations as he experienced it. Indeed it would be spiritually uplifting and intellectually enlightening for common folks like us to look for similarities in the experiences of Divine revelation by claimants to this august office. Today, we have thus an extraordinary opportunity: to see and bear witness to the magnificent, living reality of Divine revelations! For, we are living in the times of a Messenger of Allah in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius who is a recipient of this uncommon and precious privilege of Divine Mercy. Alhamdulillah Rabbul Aalameen! 

It is astonishing to note that there are remarkable similarities between the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian and his spiritual progeny, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius, although their times are separated by a century or so. In this article, we discuss one such similarity.

Mukarram Zafrullah Domun Sahib, who at one point of time in his life led the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya Mauritius as its National Amir for almost a decade, had written a personal, comprehensive and scholarly testimonial to the truthfulness and veracity of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) and his claims. This document is an authentic, living testimonial/record of an intimate witness to the phenomena of Divine revelations descending upon a man who claims for over a decade now on the basis of the Divine Mandate that he is indeed the Imam of the Age. This testimonial touches upon, and captures the essence of, the experience of Divine revelations descending upon Hadhrat Khalifatullah Sahib (atba) in the early days of the Divine Manifestation. We reproduce below extracts from this document and also, place before you, similar extracts from the writings of the Promised Massih (as) pertaining to the experience of Divine revelations. It is, of course, for the discerning readers to read and reflect upon and derive appropriate conclusions from here. 

Zafrullah Domun Sahib records in his official Declaration: “During the course of those conversations I understood that he was receiving several revelations and that through the dreams, visions and revelations we were being told about matters of which we knew not. Our attention was being drawn to several verses of the Holy Quran, to known and unknown ahadiths , to several prayers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad  (s.a.w), to prayers, the source of which we were unaware of, and also to extracts from the Promised Messiah's books or from his malfoozaaat. At the same time we received long texts on particular topics pertinent to spiritual understanding and elevation: what is Islam, what is the meaning of God being close to man, zikr , tawhid , the condition of humanity, international current affairs, religious reform, the necessity of revelation, and many others. I have to confess here that later on we became aware that many of the texts received already existed in one form or other in some books or articles but we were not aware of them when they were being received. As far as we are concerned many of these materials were new to us and they were spiritual delights.

These revelations were sometimes received in English or in French or in Urdu or even in Arabic or Persian or sometimes even in our local dialect Créole but most of them were in French or English. Whatever was received in Urdu or Arabic or Persian was followed by a translation so that we might understand the message….” 

Now, it would be interesting to observe the experience of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) on the matter of Divine revelations descending upon him: 

“During the process of writing Arabic, hundreds of complete sentences descend upon my heart, either in the form of verbal revelation or in the form of a writing on a paper which is shown to me by an angel. Some of these sentences are verses of the Holy Qur’an, or similar to them with minor modification. Sometimes I only find out later that a certain Arabic sentence that had been revealed to me by God was in fact present in a certain book. God, being the Lord of everything, has the authority to reveal to my heart a fine sentence from some book, or an exquisite verse from some book of poetry. So much for Arabic, but even more surprising is the fact that I receive revelations in languages like English, Sanskrit or Hebrew, with which I have no familiarity whatsoever. Some specimens of these were included in Baraheen-e- Ahmadiyya. God, in Whose hand is my life, is my witness that this is how He has been dealing with me. This is one of the signs pertaining to matters of the unseen that continue to be revealed to me in various forms. My God cares not if any phrase that is revealed to me happens to figure in some Arabic, Sanskrit or English book, because for me it is a matter of the unseen…”  -[ Nuzul-ul Masih, Ruhani Khasa’in, vol. 18, pp. 434-436; Essence of Islam, vol. V, p.157]

Prophecy on Disasters in Mauritius

ISLAM theorises that the clear knowledge of the unseen is only given to His chosen Messengers. The Holy Qur’an confirms: “He is the Knower of the unseen, and He does not grant anyone ascendency over His domain of the unseen, Except him whom He chooses as His Messenger. And in front of him and at the back of him march angels as sentinels.”  [Surah Al-Jinn, 72: 27-28]. Thus, Allah the Almighty raises His Chosen Messenger in every era to warn the people about their excesses, shake their conscience about their irresponsible behaviours and greed and to take precaution against terrible events waiting to unfold as a consequence of what their hands have earned. The Holy Qur’an testifies: “We never punish until We have sent a Messenger” [Surah Bani Isra’il, 17:16].

When the All Powerful, Almighty, Allah raises His Divine Messenger, heaven and the earth will bear witness to the truth of the Messenger. His veracity and truthfulness will be established through powerful signs. Consequentially, heavenly signs may appear, illuminating the whole sky in a flash, or the earth may tremble so powerfully as to turn everything over it upside down! In this age of climate change, people have neglected the ecological insights of the Holy Qur’an. The theology of ecology that Islam teaches has been completely ignored by the ‘Muslims’ themselves. The abuse and mistreatment of the environment is beginning to catch up with us, everywhere in the world. The effects of human greed, environmental degradation and irresponsible exploitation of natural resources overwhelm communities with death and devastation on a colossal scale.

On 30 December 2012, the Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib made some predictions for the year 2013 during the reading of the second part of his Appraisal of Events 2012. It is to be recorded that the following has been fulfilled:

The Prophecy on ‘Qamaran Munira'

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Massih and Mahdi of Islam was vouchsafed many glad tidings and Divine Prophecies regarding the brilliant and successful future of his physical and spiritual progeny. The spiritual progeny of the Promised Massih (as), who shall speak with the Holy Spirit, will spread the message of Islam to the ends of the earth and the victory of the Divine Path over all other material ideologies will take shape under their hands. Among the Ahmadi Muslims, there is no doubt or difference on this basic postulate, though the believers differ among themselves on the interpretation and application of this general principle. Among the prophecies vouchsafed to the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) in this regard include the following:  

“He gave me the glad tidings: you shall have a son,

Who shall one day become My darling.

I shall dispel all darkness through this Moon,

And demonstrate the transformation of a world;

It’s not just a glad tiding, but it is the very sustenance of my soul,

Holy is He who disgraced the enemies!”                                             

                                   - [ DURR-E-THAMIN, p. 50; Essence of Islam, Vol. V, p.51 ]

“THE MOON OF PROPHETS SHALL COME, and your task shall be accomplished. A son will be born to you and Divine grace shall be brought closer to you. In other words, he will be the source of Divine Grace…” -[TIRYAQ-UL-QULUB, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.15, p.220; Essence of Islam, Vol. V, p.51]

The Festival of Easter : Religion, Myth and History

Across the world, the Christian communities today are celebrating the Festival of Easter. The religious practice of Easter seeks to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ (as). The rituals and traditions that make up this festival have interesting origins in the ancient world. In other words, the lineage of the present festival and associated rituals can be traced back to the pagan worship norms of ancient communities. As it happened, the pagan practices were adapted and modified and transformed to a ‘Christian’ milieu. It is apparent that to accommodate the deviations from the original message of Jesus (as), much theological engineering was done to reshape and reconstruct the belief systems within Christianity as well.  In his Friday Sermon of 29 March 2013, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius throws searching light on the pagan origins of these Christian religious practices by drawing upon the studies and writings of Christian scholars.  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Easter is a day that is honoured by nearly all of contemporary Christianity and is used to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Hazrat Isa (as)). Christian believes that Jesus (as) rose again from the dead three days and three nights after he was crucified. The holiday often involves a church service at sunrise, a feast which includes an “Easter Ham”, decorated eggs and stories about rabbits. Free thinking Christian scholars in bewilderment have often questioned all these incongruous activities. Why rabbits? Why not a puppy or any other animals? Rabbits do not lay eggs, why not orange or onions etc., because they also roll. Why are these traditions so ingrained in Easter Sunday? And what do they have to do with the resurrection of Jesus?

The Elixir of Truth in Divine Prophecies

March 23 is an important date in the modern history of spiritual Islam. It was on this Day in 1889 that the the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya was established by the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. [Inset: a photo from the 2005 Jalsa Salana at Qadian, which the present writer attended]. He initiated the Bai’at Programme through which devout Muslims could express their allegiance to the Divine appointee. In a special speech to mark the occasion on Saturday, 23 March 2013 the Chosen Messenger of our times, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke at length about the sacred, foundational prophecies that undergird the belief about the coming of Divine Messengers/Massihs’/Mahdis’ in the Latter Days of Islam. The speech beautifully captures the essence of Divine prophecies foretold in the sacred writings of Muslims, Christians and the seers of other religious. It demonstrates how these prophecies have been fulfilled in the times of the Promised Massih (as) and also reflects on their contemporary significance. The spiritual outlook regarding the continuity of Divine revelations and the appearance of Divine Messengers in future, who will speak with the Holy Spirit, as emerging from the writings of the Promised Massih (as) and as discussed in the speech must be of special interest to devout Ahmadis.   

Read the Extracts from the Speech:

Today 23 March 2013 establishes 124 years since an event took place in the once unknown small village – Qadian – situated in the province of Punjab in India. It was an event destined to change the course of history. In Islamic literature, the Quran predicts a thousand years during which Islam will suffer an extraordinary decline.

“He regulates His command from the heaven to the earth; then shall it ascend to Him in a day the measure of which is a thousand years of what you count.” (As-Sajdah 32: 6).

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has predicted that this decline will not begin until three hundred years after his advent: “The best century is the one in which I live, then the second and the third will be good, afterwards lies will spread, truth shall disappear; cruelty, excesses, differences and divergences shall appear”. (Miskat, Bukhari & Tirmidhi).